Quick disconnect coupling for high pressure fluids



Jan. 22, 1963 E. E. BREUNING 3,074,570

QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING FOR HIGH PRESSURE FLUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 Jan. 22, 1963 E. E. BREUNING 3,074,670

QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING FOR HIGH PRESSURE FLUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 Jan. 22, 1963 E. E. EREUNING QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING FOR HIGH Filed Aug. 4, 1958 PRESSURE FLUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 22, -1963 E. E. BREUNING QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING FOR HIGH PRESSURE FLUIDS Filed Aug. 4, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IZ? f hm-,hid Patented Jan, 22, i963 lice 3.567457@ @ELTEC-K DESSNNEQT LGUPLENG FR EEGH PREURE FLUHDS Erich E, reuning, Hollywood, Calif., assigner, by mesne assignments, te @n Pviarir Conpirge, line., llos Angeles,

Calif., a corporation of Saiiornia Filed Ang. d, 1958, Ser. No. 752,771 lll Claims. (Si. 2de- Bm This invention relates to a quick disconnect coupling for releasably interconnecting two luid passages for highpressure service.

While the invention may be widely applied in various ways for various specific purposes, it has special utility for connecting a liquid gas supply line to a missile, or the like, and the invention has been initially constructed to meet certain problems encountered in such use. This particular practice of the invention is described herein for the purpose of disclosure and will guide those skilled in the art who may have occasion to apply the same principles to other speciiic purposes.

A coupling of the present type comprises two coupling bodies that form end portions of the two fluid passages respectively, and the operation of connecting the two fluid passages together consists simply of manually forcing the two coupling bodies together axially, the leading end of one coupling body telescoping into the leading end i the other. For use in charging a missile with liquid gas, the male coupling body is incorporated in the missile and may be termed an adapter or adapter fitting. The female member, which may be termed a socket or socket fitting, is mounted on the end of a flexible supply hose.

A coupling of the present type further includes radially expansible and contractible engagement means on one of the coupling bodies for releasable engagement with a circumferential shoulder on the other coupling body together with a yieldingly retractable locking sleeve to hold the engagement means in its effective position for positively locking the two coupling bodies together. The adapter on the missile is provided with the required circumferential shoulder, the engagement means and the locking sleeve being on the socket.

it is desirable that such a coupling for use in supplying liquid gas to a missile operate in a simple, positive and foolproof manner and require only moderate manual force for both connecting and disconnecting the two fluid lines. It is contemplated that a maximum manual force of only thirty pounds will be required to interlock the two coupling bodies and with the connected uid passages under uid pressure of 50 p.s.i., a maximum manual force of only fty pounds will be suiicient to break the connection.

The features that meet this problem of making the coupling operable with manual force of such low nitude will be apparent from the later detailed description of the invention. One of these features is the provision of an annular member or sleeve movably mounted on the socket under spring pressure to function as an ejector by thrusting against the adapter iitting on the missile to tend to separate the socket fitting therefrom. Another of these features is the provision of a lanyard with fulcrum means for effective leverage in manually retracting the locking sleeve.

Another problem arises from the fact that such as coupling for use with a missile should be capable of disconnection reliably and substantially instantly by remote control in addition to being adapted for disconnection manually at the coupling. To meet this problem, the socket iitting incorporates uid-pressure-actuated means for the application of power to carry out the disconnecting operation and this Huid-actuated means is connected under remote control to a source of suitable fluid such as nitrogen or helium under relatively high pressure for quick operation. The pressure, for example, may be on the order of 750 p.s.i. ln this regard, a feature of the invention is the attainment of substantiall', instant disconnect operation by maintaining the high pressure in the control line right up to the socket itting and by incorporating a solenoid valve in the socket fitting to release the high-pressure iiuid for the disconnecting operation. The liquid gas line can also be used for disconnection by means of openings directly from the liquid gas line to the solenoid.

To carry out this concept, an annular chamber is provided in the socket fitting to receive the pressurized fluid for power retraction of the locking sleeve and a second annular chamber is provided for the power thrust of the ejector against the adapter fitting. ln the preferred practice of the invention, these chambers are charged in equence to delay the ejector thrust until the locking sleeve releases the engagement means, and a feature of the invention is the use of the locking sleeve itself as valve means to control iluid liow into the second chamber.

Still another problem is to provide for monitoring the connecting and disconnecting operations from the remote control station. For this purpose, remote signal means is provided to indicate whether or not the two coupling bodies are interlocked. ln the preferred practice of the invention, two lamp switches are incorporated in the socket iitting under control of a moving part of the adapter litting, one switch energizing one signal lamp when the socket is positively interlocked with the adapter, the other switch energizing a second lamp when the socket is thrust free from the adapter.

A further problem is to provide valve means to close the open ends of the two coupling bodies as soon as they are disconnected from each other. Automatic closing of the socket fitting prevents waste of the liquid gas. A related problem is to avoid spitting ofk liquid gas, i.e; release of trapped liquid gas into the atmosphere as the two coupling members are separated from each other. As will be explained, these problems are met by providing each coupling body with a spring-pressed valve that is retracted by the other coupling body and by further providing for the two valve-equipped coupling bodies to mate with each other with no intervening space to trap liquid gas, the two valve members being arranged to close simultaneously as the two coupling bodies separate from each other.

A still further problem is to restore the streamlined continuity of the missile surface as soon as the disconnection is made. For this purpose, the closed position of the adapter fitting valve is flush with the missile surface and an annular closure means is provided for the annular recess around the adapter litting that receives the locking parts of the socket itting. These locking parts are the engagement means and the associated locking sleeve. The annular closure is spring-pressed to yield inwardly whenever the socket fitting is interlocked with the adapter iitting.

Certain further problems are encountered. One of these further problems is to keep the spring-pressed locking sleeve from damaging the missiles skin. Another of these further problems is to keep moisture out of the coupling when the oxygen-charging operation is performed in the rain. A third problem is to keep the locking sleeve from being blocked against retraction by ice that tends to be formed on the socket fitting by the re frigeration effect of the extremely low temperature liquid gas.

These further problems are met by the construction of the locking sleeve. A ring of rubber-like locking sleeve serves as a bumper to avoid damage to the material on the 1 skin and also serves as a rain seal in cooperation with the missile skin. The rear end of the locking sleeve is tapered to serve as an annular ice chisel and the high-pressure fluid that retractsthe locking sleeve provides ample power for this chisel to break away any ice that may form.

The various features and advantages of the invention may be understood from the following detailed description considered with the accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative PIG. l isa view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, showing the adapter and the cooperating socket positioned close together for movement of the socket fitting into interlocking engagement with the adapter fitting;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the positionsof the parts of the adapter and socket at an intermediate point in their relative movement into interlocking engagement;

PEG. 3 is a. view similar to PlG. l, showing the` adapter and socket locked together for the transmission of fluid therethrough;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the- General. Arrangement FIG.,1 shows an adapter fitting, generally designatedv by numeral 10, which is mounted on a missile ilush with the missile skin 12. FlG. l also shows a socket fitting,

generally designated by numeral 14, poised close to the adapter in position for axial movement into interlocking engagement with the adapter.

The yprincipal parts of the adapter fitting are: an adapter body of generally/*cylindrical configuration having a flanged inner end 16 for attachment tothe fluid passage of the-missile; a spider comprising a'central body 18 and legs 20 united with the adapter body; a nose or forward wall member` 22-mounted on theV spider body 18 -in a position substantially flush with they missile skin 12, which nose, together with-*the surrounding adapter body, forms an annular port 24; a ring-shaped valve member 25 whichnormally closes the annular port 24; a coil` spring 26 to urge the ring-shapedvalvemember towards its closed position; an outer circumferential wall member 28 which is mounted Yon the adapter bodyA 15 by screw threads 30 and may be regarded as a unitary part .of the adapter body; an annular recess or well 32 defined by the adapter bodylS and the outer circumferential wall member 28; a flanged closure ring 34 whichnormally closes the .annular recess 32 in aposition. substantially flush with the missile skin 12; and a coil spring 35 in the recess 32 urging the closure ring 34.towards its normal forward position.

The outer circumferential wall member 28 has a flange 36 by means of which it may be attached to the inner side of the missile skin 12 to place the adapter flush with the skin. The adapter body 15 has an outer circumferential locking .shoulder 4t? for locking engagement by the` socketv 14,` and this shoulder mayy bevform'ed by a Vcircumferential groove 42 of rounded cross-sectional configuration. The adapter body 15 is further formed with a tapered shoulder 44 which cooperates with a tapered flange 45 of the closure ring 34 to serve as a stop for the closure ringat its normal forward position.

The principal parts of the socket 14 include: a socket body 46 made of a number of sections joined together and having a rear end flange 48 (FIG. 3) for attachment to the end of a flexible hose; an inner circumferential wall 5@ formed by the socket body 46 to telescope into the adapter body 15; a poppet valve 51 normally closing the forward end of the socket body 46; a spring 52 urging the poppet valve towards its normal forward closed position;

an outer circumferential wall 53 of the socket body to extend into the annular recess 32 and telescope over the adapter body 15; radially expansible and contractible means in the form of a plurality of balls 54 mounted in apertures 55 in the outer circumferential wall 52 for lockn ing engagement with the'circumferential shoulder 4d of the adapter body 15; an ejector sleeve 56 retractably mounted between the circumferential walls 56 and 53 to thrust against therim of the'adapter body 15; an'annular power chamber 58 defined by thel two-circumferential walls-50 and 53v rearwardly Vof the ejector sleeve 56 for fluid-pressureactuation of the ejector sleeve; a coil spring 60-in the annular chamber 58 urging the ejector sleeve towards its normal forward position atwhich the ejector sleeve retains the balls54 against `radially inward movement; a locking sleeve 62 surrounding the outer circumferential wall 53'and movable-,axially thereof between a normal retracted position and a forward position at which the locking sleeve locks the balls 54 in engagement with the circumferential locking shoulder 40 of the socket body 15; a coil spring 64 urging the locking sleeve 62 towards its forward locking position; an annular power chamber 65 for iluidpressureactuated retraction of the locking sleeve; a U-shaped lanyard 66y (FIGS.` 3 and 4) to permit convenient manual retraction of the locking sleeve; a rearward switch chamber 68 housing a pair of lamp switches 70 and 72,' both of whichare biased to open in the absence of actuating force (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6); a pair of remote signal lamps 74 and-75 (FIG.A 6) controlled by the two switches, respectively; a Vswitch actuator 76 movably mounted in the switch chamber 68Y and connected by a push-pull rod 78 to the ejector sleeve 56 for actuation thereby; larnormally closed valve 80 (FIG.y 5) carried by the socket body 46 to control the flow of `pressurized actuating fluid intorthe two annular chambers 58 and 65; afsolenoid v82'for energizationV to open the valve Si); and a remote control switchv 84 (FIG. 6) for-controlling the solenoid S2.

The inner circumferential wall 50 of the socket body 46 vis increased in thickness to provide a radially in' wardlyextending rim vportion 85 that hasy a; number lof functions. One function is to cooperate with vthe'poppet valve 51 to close the open endof'the socket in a fluid-tight manner-,when the socket is Vdisconnected 'from the adapter 10. Another function is to abutand retract the ringfshaped valve member 25 of the socket when the two coupling bodies are connected together. A.

General Mode V0j Operation FIG; lshows the normal positions of the parts ofthe l adapter fittingfl and thersocket fitting 14 when the two fittings orl coupling bodies are disconnected fromeach other.V The ring-shaped valve member 250i the socket is at its forwardfporsitionsubstantially flush with the missile skin 12, and the closure ring 34 is at asimilar forward position.

Sinc it is desirable to provide a vent'- for the release of lgaseous oxygen after a fueling operation, the ring-shaped valve member 25 does not close the adapter in a fluid-tight manner. In the present construction, the leading edge of the adapter body l5 is slightly chamfered or tapered, as may be seen in FIG. l, to provide a slight vent clearance around the ringshaped valve member 2S. This taper is also helpful to facilitate the movement of the sealing rings 85 into the adapter body.

The ejector sleeve 56 in FIG. 1 is in its normal extended position holding the locking balls dd in their normal radially outward positions at which the locking balls block the forward movement of the locking sleeve 62 and hold the locking sleeve retracted in opposition to the coil spring oli. The poppet valve Si is in its normal forward closed position. The valve Sti is closed, the solenoid 82 being tie-energized, and the two annular chambers S3 and 65 are under atmospheric pressure. Since the ejector sleeve 55 is at its forward position, the switch actuator 7o is also in its forward position and holds the lamp switch 7i) closed whereby the signal lamp '74 is energized to indicate that the two coupling bodies are disconnected from each other.

ln FIG. 2, the socket fitting lili is partially inserted into the adapter fitting itl. The inner circumferential wall Si? has telescoped into the adapter body l5 and in doing so has partially retracted the ring-shaped valve member 25. The sealing rings S6 that are carried by the inner circumferential wall member Sil have made sealing contact with the inner circumferential surface of the adapter body l5. The poppet valve Si has been `substantially retracted by abutment against the nose or forward wall member 22 of the adapter itil. The ejector sleeve 56 is retracted rearwardly from the locking balls 5d by abutment against the rim of the adapter body l5', but the locking balls are held at their radially outward positions by the adapter body l5'. Since the locking balls S4 are at their radially outward positions, the balls still hold the locking sleeve '52 in its retracted position in opposition to the force of the spring ed.

Since the ejector sleeve 56 is partially retracted, the switch actuator '76 is also partially retracted to permit the lamp switch 7@ to open for de-energization of the indicator lamp 7d, but since the ejector sleeve is not fully retracted, the switch actuator '7e does not close the second lamp switch 72. 'Ihus, both of the lamps 74 and 75 are tie-energized to indicate that the socket 14 is at an intermediate position with respect to the adapter lit). The valve Sti is, of course, still closed, the remote switch 8d being open and the solenoid 32 being cle-energized.

FIG. 3 shows the positions of the parts of the coupling when the two coupling bodies are moved into final interlocking engagement with each other. The ringshaped valve member a5 is completely retracted, and the joint between the two coupling bodies is sealed in a fluid-tient manner by the sealing rings S6. The tinal advance of the outer circumferential wall 53 of the socket lo into the annular recess 32 has positioned the locking balls Se at the circumferential groove of the adapter body l5' to permit the balls to drop into the groove whereupon the locking sleeve d2 is snapped forward by the spring ed to cam the balls 54 inward and to lock the balls in their inward positions. At this inal forward position of the locking sleeve 62, the lip 9d of the rubber-like member makes contact with the skin 12 to serve as a seal against rain or other moisture.

l The ejector sleeve 5'6 is now completely retracted and consequently the switch actuator 76 is at its rearward limit position at which it closes the lamp switch 72 to energize the indicator lamp 75. The poppet valve Si is now retracted to its fully open position by abutment against the nose or forward wall member of the adapter llt).

To disengage and separate the two coupling bodies manually, the locking sleeve 62 is retracted either by grasping the locking sleeve itself or by pulling on the lanyard loop da. The retraction of the locking sleeve 52 releases the locking balls 5d to free the balls for return to their normally outwardly radial positions.

While the two coupling bodies are interlocked, the ejector sleeve 56 is fully retracted and the correspondting coil spring dal continuously causes the ejector sleeve to thrust against the rim of the adapter body lo', thus tending to separate the two coupling bodies. The manual retraction of the locking sleeve d2. against the opposition of the spring ed provides an additional force to tend to move the socket out of engagement with the adapter. With the locking sleeve @S2 fully retracted against the socket body, the operator may apply even more force to pull the socket away from the adapter.

As a result of these forces, the circumferential locking shoulder d@ cams the locking balls 5d radially outward to their normal positions to free the socket completely for withdrawal from the adapter. Zlio withdrawal of the socket is assisted by the thrust of the ejector sleeve 56 against the adapter body l5. As the outer circumferential wall Se of the socket withdraws from the annular recess 32 of the adapter, the locking balls Se are shifted from the surface of the adapter body 1S onto the surface of the ejector sleeve 55.

The complete withdrawal of the socket body from the adapter body permits the ring-shaped valve member 2b' and the closure ring 3d to return to their normal forward position flush with the missile skin l2. At the same time, the poppet Valve 5l is permitted to return to its normal forward position. Complete restoration of the ejector sleeve S6 to its normal forward position returns the switch actuator 76 to its norml l forward position to close the lamp switch "itl and thereby energize the indicator lamp I4- As may be understood from an inspection of FlG. l, at the moment of complete separation of the two coupling bodies with the puppet valve 5l of the soclet in face-toface contact with the nose or forward wall member 22 of the `adapter and with the ring-shaped valve member 2.5 of the adapter in face-to-face contact with the rim portion SS of the socket body (lo, there is substantially no void between the two coupling parts to be occupied by the uid that flows through the coupling. Consequently, no lappreciable quantity of fluid is lost in the operation of disconnecting the two coupling bodies, the usual spitting action being avoided.

To disconnect the socket lo lfrom the adapter itl by remote control, it is merely necessary to close the remote control switch 84 (HG. 6) for energization of the solenoid S2. Since the Valve El@ (FlG. 5) is connected to the source of high-pressure air, opening of the valve by the solenoid instantly introduces compressed air into the annular chamber 65 (FIG. l) to cause retraction of the locking sleeve di. As the locking sleeve 62 approaches its completely retracted position, the compressed air from the valve is admitted into the second annular chamber 58 to create lluid pressure against the inner end of the ejector sleeve 56 to cooperate with the spring dil to thrust the ejector sleeve against the adapter body l5. The retraction ot' the locking sleeve d2 followed by the powerful thrust of the ejector sleeve 56 causes the socket ld to be disengaged and separated from the adapter lil lin au abrupt manner. When the indicator lamp I2 is deener gized and the indicator lamp ift is energized, the remote operator knows that the two coupling bodies are completely disengaged from each other.

Structural Details of the Socket The inner circumferential wall 5d of the socket body 46 is a separate section that is mounted by screw threads 94 and sealed by an O-ring 95. Integral with this section 104 for sealing contact with the rim portion 85 of the.

inner circumferential wall 50.

The ejector sleeve 56 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner by an inner stationary Or-ing 165 that is mounted on the inner circumferential wall t) and by a second O-ring 106 that embraces the ejector sleeve in sliding contact with the inner surface of the outer circumferential wall 53. The O-ring 106 is confined by a snapl ring 108 which serves as a seat for the spring 6l).

The outer circumferential wall 53 of the socket body 46 is a separate section mounted by screw threads 110 and carries a forward 0-ring 112 anda rearward 0ring 114 for sealing contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the locking sleeve 62. The outer circumferential wall 53 is formed with at least one radial port l115 which Ais positioned between the two O-rings 112 and 114'. A longitudinal bore 116 :and a short radial bore 118 form a fluid passage from the valve 8i) to the annular chamber 65 and an orice member 120 in the b ore 116 provides a restricted passage for iiow .from the valve rinto the annular chamber 58.

The locking sleeve `62 is made in two sections interconnected by screw threads 122 with the joint sealed by an O-ring 124. The rear end yof the locking sleeve 62 is formed with a shoulder 125 which is the rear wall of the annular chamber 65. To prevent leakage fromy this chamber, the locking sleeve carries an inner O-ring 126 in sliding contact with the cylindrical surface of the` adapter body 46. The inner circumferential surface of the locking sleeve 62 is formed with a recess 128 which forms a clearance space around the O-ring 114 when the locking sleeve is retracted as shown in FIG'. '1, and which is positioned forward from the O-ring when the 'locking sleeve is extended asshown in FIG. 3.

When the valve S0 is opened to admit compressed air intothe bore 116l to -disengage the two coupling bodies, the compressed air flows freely through the radial bore into the annular chamber 65 to retract the locking sleeve 62, but only a restricted stream of air flows into the an-v nular chamber 58 for increase in the thrust of the ejector sleeve 56 against the adapter body 15. The initial retraction movement of the locking sleeve 62, however, brings the recess 12S-into the region ofthe O-ring 114 to permit the compressed air to flow quickly into the annular chamber 58, the path of ow being past theO- 1'ing114` into the recess 128 and through the previously mentioned radial port 115. Thus, the locking sleeve 62 with the recess 12S-therein cooperates with the O-ring 114 to provide a valve -action for delayed rush of compressedair into the annular chamber 58, which valve action causes the locking sleeve and the ejector sleeve to be retracted in timed sequence. By virtue of this arrangement, the high magnitude thrust of the ejector sleeve 56 against the` adapter body 15 is delayed until the locking sleeve 62 retracts sufficiently to release the locking balls 54.

The forward end of the locking sleeve 62 is of reduced diameter to fit relatively close around the outer circumferential Wall 53 in the region of the apertures 55 in which the locking balls 54 are mounted. This forward portion of the locking sleeve has aA rearwardly directed shoul-der 130, and the outer circumferential wall 53 is formed with a complementary stop shoulder 132 for cooperation therewith. The forward rim of the locking sleeve 62 is cut `away from the inside, as indicated at 134 in FlGS. 1 and `2, to form clearance forv permittingy the locking bal1s54.

to move toY their normal outward radial positions when the locking sleeve is retracted.

The U-shaped lanyard 66 may comprise a-fiexible piecev of cable, each end of which has a ball united therewith, as shown in FIG. 4, for anchorage to the locking sleeve 62; Each ball 135 is seated in a socket 136 in aV radial projection 138 of the locking sleeve. Each of the two arms of the lanyard cable extends through a corre- Y sponding guide aperture 140 in a radial projection 142 of the adapter body 46, which guide aperture is aligned with the ball socket 136to hold the end portion of the lanyard cable parallel with the axisA of the socket.

A feature of the invention is the concept of providing what may be termed a fulcrum body 144 on each end of the lanyard cable 66 in aposition for abutment against the radial projection-142when the locking sleeve 62 is in its forward locking position. Each fulcrum body 144 basa forwmd face 145 ofsubstantial lateral extent. if the lanyard'66 kis pulled laterally instead of longitudinally to retract the locking sleeve 62, the lateral pull rocks the fulcrum body 144 to rock the face 145 relative to the contiguousface of the rradialprojection 142, thusprovid- Ving a leverage action-to multiply themanually applied force for lretractingthelocking sleeve.

The switchk chamber68'is accessible through a removable plate 146 (FIG. 3) and contains a U-shaped bracket 148 (B1G. 4) which supports the oppositeqends of a pair of guide rods150; The previously mentioned switch actuator 76 is slidingly mounted on the two guide rods 150 and has a laterally extending linger 152 to actuate the two switches 70 and 72. Preferably, each guide rod 156* isequipped with' a/coil spring 154 which exerts forward thrust on the switch actuator, which thrust is added to the thrust of the ejector sleeve spring 60. The push-pull rod 784 that connects the switch actuator 76 with the ejector sleeve 56 is surrounded by suitable sealing means (FIG. 4) to keep high-pressure uid in the chamber 58 from'leaking into the switch chamber 68.

As shown/fin FIG. 6, each of the two lamp switches 70v and 72 may be of a sensitive type suitably adapted for actuation by the finger 152 ofthe switchY actuator 76. In

the construction shown, each of the two lamp switches isV formed with a slightly angular leaf spring which is positioned to be wiped bythe -nger 152 for actuation of the switch. Y

The inlet side of the valve Sil is provided with a screw fitting 156 (FIG. 5) which is used to connect the valve to an air` hose 158 shown in phantom in FIG. 3, this air hose being connected to a source of compressed air. Thus,` with the valve 80. mounted on the socket 14 instead of being at the far end of the air hose 158, the. opening ofthe valve results in instantaneous introduction of compressed air into. the annular chambers 53 and 65.

As shown in FIG. 5,. the valve 80 provides a longitudinal ow passage 162 which is intercepted by a transverse valve member 164. The valve member 164 is connected. to the armature 165 of the solenoid 82. The solenoid 82 is mounted in a sealed cylindrical chamber 166 that is closed by a screw plug 16S.

As shown in FIG. 3, the socket body 46 has a tubular extension which is equipped with an electrical plug fitting 172 to permit the adapter to be connected to an electric. cableto complete the required circuitry. This plug fitting 172 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6.

FIG. shows four wires 173, 174, 175 and 176 that make up the electric cable, the wire 175 having a branch 178.` FIG. 6 also shows a remote control panel 188! on which is mounted the. previously mentionedremote control switch 84.. and the two indicator lamps '74 and 75. One sideof the switch 184.is'connected to the. wire 176, and the other side :is connected to the two lamps 74 and. 75 by awire182.

Oneside of the-lamp switchf70isconnected to the indicator damp 74 by a wire 184 and the corresponding cable wire 73. One side of the other lamp switch "i2 is connected to the indicator lamp 75 by a wire 185 and the corresponding cable wire li. The second side of each of the lamp switches 'lo and 72 is connected by a wire l to the corresponding cable wire i715 which, in turn, is connected to an EME. source. One side of the solenoid 82 is connected by a wire ld to the branch wire ll of the cable for communication with 4the same source. The other side of the solenoid is connected to the remote control switch tsiby a wire i9@ and the corresponding cable wire 3.76.

PEG. 7 shows how the solenoid valve Sil may be placed in communication with the fluid inside the coupling instead of being connected to an outside source of pressurized fluid. A bore 92 in the socket body do, indicated by broken lines, extends from the interior of the body to a transverse bore 94 that leads to the inlet of the solenoid valve S9.

My description in specific detail ofthe selected embodiments of the invention lwill suggest various changes, substitutions and other departures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

l. A coupling for releasably connecting a rst fluid passage with a second liuid passage, comprising: a iirst coupling body to form an end portion of said iirst fluid passage, said coupling body having a rearwardly facing shoulder; a second coupling body to form an end portion of said second `duid passage, means carried by said sec ond coupling body to releasably engage said shoulder to lock the two coupling bodies together, said locking means being retractable to release the two coupling bodies from each other; a lanyard connected to said locking means for manual retraction thereof; an abutment on said second coupling body having an aperture with said lanyard passn ing therethrough; and a fulcrum member carried by said lanyard and having a lateral surface extending along said abutment at the normal position of the lanyard, whereby a 'lateral manual pull on said lanyard at a point beyond the fulcrum member rocks the fulcrum member against the abutment to pull said lanyard through said aperture.

2. A coupling for releasably connecting a rst fluid passage with a second fluid passage, comprising: a first coupling body to form an end portion of said first fluid passage, said coupling body having a rearwardly facing shoulder; a second coupling body to form an end portion of said second fluid passage, radially expansiole and contractible engagement means carried by said econd coupling body to telescope over said rst coupling body and to contract into engagement with said circumferential shoulder; a locking sleeve mounted on said second coupling body and axially movable thereon between a retracted position and a forward position surrounding and lookin(y said engagement means in engagement with said shoulder; spring means urging said locking sleeve towards its forward locking position; huid-pressure-actuated means including a first fluid-pressure power chamber on said second coupling body to retract said locking sleeve to free said engagement means from said shoulder; an ejector means carried by said second coupling body and mov* able relative thereto to advance to thrust against said lirst coupling body to separate 'the two coupling bodies when said locking sleeve is retracted; and fluid-pressureactuated means including a second fluid-pressure power chamber on said second coupling body to advance said ejector means.

3. A combination `as set forth in claim 2, which includes passage means to supply lluid under pressure to said iirst power chamber for retraction of the locking sleeve; and which includes valve means responsive to said locking sleeve to place said second power chamber in free flow communication with said passage means when said locking sleeve is retracted lby the first duid-pressureresponsive means.

4. A combination yas set forth in claim 2 which inits.

Cil

l@ cludes remote means to control the flow of lluid to said first :and second power chambers.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4, which includes remote signal means responsive to a moving part on said second coupling body to indicate whether or not said coupling bodies are locked together.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5, in which said signal means is responsive to movement of said ejector means.

7. A coupling for releasably connecting a iirst fluid passage with a second fluid passage, comprising: a first coupling body to form an end of said lirst liuid passage, said coupling having a first circumferential wall with an outer rearwardly facing circumferential shoulder; a second coupling body to form an end of said second lluid passage, said second coupling body having a second circumferential wall to telescope over said rst circumferential wall; engagement means carried by said second coupling body retractibly extendable into engagement with said circumferential shoulder to hold lthe two cou' pling bodies telescoped together; a locking sleeve mounted on said second coupling body and axially movable thereon between a rearward retracted position and a forward position surrounding and locking said engagement means in engagement with said circumferential shoulder; spring means urging said locking sleeve towards its locking position; an ejector sleeve telescoped inside said second circumferential wall and movable Ibetween a forward position inside said engagement means to keep the e11- gagement means extended and a retracted position to permit the engagement means to contract into engagement with said circumferential shoulder, said ejector sleeve being ldimensoned to abut said iirst circumferential wall to be retracted thereby when the two circumferential walls are telescoped together; spring means to urge said ejector sleeve towards its forward position thereby to thrust against said first circumferential wall to urge the two coupling lbodies apart; and sealing means carried by one of said coupling bodies to cooperate with the other coupling body to seal the juncture between the two coupling Ibodies when the two coupling bodies are locked together', said second coupling body and said locking sleeve forming an annular chamber to receive iiuid under pressure for retraction of the locking sleeve, said second coupling body and said ejector sleeve forming a second chamber to receive duid under pressure for extension of the ejector sleeve.

8. A combination `as set forth in claim 7, in which Said second coupling body has a third circumferential wall to telescope into said first circumferential wall, said sealing means being mounted on one of said first and third circumferential walls for `sealing cooperation with the other of said first and third circumferential walls.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 7, which includes valve means carried by said second coupling body to control the admission of duid under pressure into said two chambers.

10. In a coupling for releasably connecting a lirst fluid passage in a housing with a second fluid passage outside the housing wherein a first coupling body is mounted in the housing :adjacent the surface thereof and a second coupling body for the second iiuid passage releasably vengages said first coupling -body and is provided with a locking sleeve to keep the two coupling bodies engaged, said locking sleeve being urged forward by spring means, the improvement comprising: an annular member of resiliently deformable rubber-like material positioned on the leading end of said locking sleeve to make pressure contact with the surface of said housing to form therewith a weather-proof seal when the two coupling bodies are locked together.

l1. In an aerial vehicle having an outer wall and an exposed irst coupling for releasable engagement with a second complementary coupling outside the vehicle for supplying iluid to the vehicle, wherein the rst coupling has ya body with -a cylindrical portion to telescope into the second couplingand the rst coupling haspan axial portion smaller in diameter than said cylindrical portion thereof to form therewith ran annular passage to receive fluid from the first coupling, and wherein a valve member carried by said r'st coupling normally closes said annular passage and is retractable by the second coupling to a position opening the passage, the improvement to streamline the vehicle comprising: `said Wall having an opening larger than said cylindrical portion ofthe rst coupling and surrounding the cylindrical portion to form therewith an annular space to receive said second coupling, said cylindrical portion and said axial portion of fthe rst coupling being substantially flush with the Wall; the normally closed position of said valve member being substantially flush with the wall; and Van annular memlbei' normally closing said annular space at a position substantially flush with the Wall, said annular member ybeing yeldable rior retraction by said second coupling.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cram Oct. 13, '1906 Nescher Aug. 16, 1921 `Frazer-Nash June 1, K1943 Scheiwer June 5, 1945 Burckle et al. July 19, 1949 Scheiwer May 19, 1953 Meddock Nov. 24, 1953 Fraser Ian. 12, 1954 Livers Apr. 20, 1954 Scheiwer Sept. 14, 1954 Pfau Mar. 29, 1955 Elliott Dec. 20, 1955 Lampheati` Peb. 25, 1958 Wurzburger June 3, 1958 Goodin et al. Sept. 22, 1959 Canner Jan. 19, y1960 Eckert et al. Nov. 8, 1960 

11. IN AN AERIAL VEHICLE HAVING AN OUTER WALL AND AN EXPOSED FIRST COUPLING FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH A SECOND COMPLEMENTARY COUPLING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR SUPPLYING FLUID TO THE VEHICLE, WHEREIN THE FIRST COUPLING HAS A BODY WITH A CYLINDRICAL PORTION TO TELESCOPE INTO THE SECOND COUPLING AND THE FIRST COUPLING HAS AN AXIAL PORTION SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN SAID CYLINDRICAL PORTION THEREOF TO FORM THEREWITH AN ANNULAR PASSAGE TO RECEIVE FLUID FROM THE FIRST COUPLING, AND WHEREIN A VALVE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID FIRST COUPLING NORMALLY CLOSES SAID ANNULAR PASSAGE AND IS RETRACTABLE BY THE SECOND COUPLING TO A POSITION OPENING THE PASSAGE, THE IMPROVEMENT TO STREAMLINE THE VEHICLE COMPRISING: SAID WALL HAVING AN OPENING LARGER THAN SAID CYLINDRICAL PORTION OF THE FIRST COUPLING AND SURROUNDING THE CYLINDRICAL PORTION TO FORM THEREWITH AN ANNULAR SPACE TO RECEIVE SAID SECOND COU- 